Overview
We believe that health equity and community health require strong advocacy, collaboration, leadership, and problem-solving skills as well as a nuanced understanding of factors that influence health from a cellular to a structural level. All residents participate in Resident Education in Advocacy and Community Health (REACH). Over three years, our residents:
- Develop skills to care effectively for children and families from diverse cultural backgrounds and communities
- Recognize and meet needs for special populations
- Collaborate with educators, community leaders, multidisciplinary partners, and local nonprofits
- Recognize roles of early childhood systems and schools in supporting healthy child development and learn how pediatricians can work with the educational system to improve the learning environments of children
- Become effective advocates for patients at the individual, organizational, and legislative levels
Curriculum
All residents have dedicated REACH time during their clinic weeks:
- Intern year focuses on learning about our vibrant community and local organizations and exploring interests, with one half day per clinic week for REACH activities
- Second- and third-year experiences are tailored as you hone your interests to develop a longitudinal community partnership, with two half days per clinic week for REACH activities
Graduating residents each share a capstone presentation of their efforts and perspectives gained during Academic Half Day
Foundational health equity and advocacy teaching also take place during Academic Half Day.
All residents engage in advocacy experiences to influence health policy on organizational, local, state, and national levels throughout REACH, including annual trips to Sacramento to talk with elected officials during AAP-CA Advocacy Day
Didactics during clinic morning conference and academic half day feature community leaders and pediatrician advocates.
Mentorship
Dr. Lisa Turman and Dr. Stephanie Fong Gomez are East Bay natives with combined experiences spanning primary and secondary education, public health, nonprofit work, community-engaged research, program development, civic engagement, legislative advocacy, and more. As REACH co-leads, they are thrilled to help residents grow as community advocates, partners, and leaders.
Recent REACH Partnerships
Stanley Liu ’26:
Stanley had an interest in adaptive sports and health of children with special needs. He got involved with the Little League’s adaptive baseball program for individuals with physical and intellectual challenges.
Ross Perry ’25: Sports equity
There are vast racial disparities in youth sports participation, which contribute to inequities in childhood obesity and other health issues. Ross collaborated with Positive Coaching Alliance, Oakland Unified School District, and Oakland Athletic League and KP primary care and sports medicine doctors to provide free sports physicals to Oakland students who otherwise may not have a way to get sports clearance otherwise during OAL’s annual “Field Day.”
